Giants defense rallies in wake of Brian Burns calling players-only meeting

The Giants' Brian Burns after a sack versus the Eagles on Thursday. Credit: Ed Murray
Before Thursday night’s 34-17 win over the Eagles, Giants linebacker Brian Burns called a players-only meeting for the defense, which had zero turnovers or sacks Sunday against the Saints.
Burns didn’t disclose what was said, but as one of the Giants’ captains, he believed he needed to bring the defense in to inspire them after a 1-4 start to the season.
“It was on my heart. Something that was on my heart,” Burns said. “I wanted to lead and show the guys how much I care and that meant a lot for me . . . And they responded positively.”
The meeting is the latest way Burns has taken a greater leap in his second season with the Giants. His two sacks Thursday gave him seven; he is tied for the NFL lead with Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto.
Burns also made plays dropping back into coverage. On the Eagles’ opening drive, he made a third-down tackle on tight end Dallas Goedert and forced Philadelphia to kick a field goal.
The Eagles were shut out after halftime, Cor’Dale Flott had a 68-yard interception return and Dru Phillips continued his solid season, recovering a fumble after Dane Belton forced it.
But at the center of it was Burns making plays and showing why the Giants signed him to a five-year deal last year. It proved that Brian Daboll was right to be high on his leadership skills since training camp.
“I think that sets a very good example for the rest of the team, including the young guys,” Daboll said. “They get to see someone like that that does have talent, that’s been in this league, that’s been productive but is going out there and practicing the way he practices and running to the ball the way he runs to the ball and making plays in critical moments. We could use all that as much as we can.”
One of the many flaws on defense last season was the lack of playmakers. All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence had nine sacks but faced constant double-teams and didn’t have enough help around him.
Burns is changing that. It’s not just that he’s had at least one sack in all but one game this season, it’s when he’s getting them.
His third-down sack against Justin Herbert in Week 4 forced the Chargers to punt with 3:03 left in the fourth quarter and the Giants clinging to a 21-18 lead. The offense took over and ran down the clock to 18 seconds.
Burns’ two sacks on third down Thursday didn’t just fire up the crowd. It fired up the offense to match that effort.
“Our defense has done a great job of keeping us in games,” quarterback Jaxson Dart said. “Even the games where we didn’t win. I feel like as a rookie quarterback, to have a defense play that hard, to make big plays, that helps me out a lot, helps our whole team out a lot.”
Six games in, Burns is playing some of his best ball. He had 8.5 sacks in his first Giants season but is on pace to surpass that total before the end of the month.
Burns was more pleased that he and the defense backed up his words with actions to get a win.
“I felt like it really brought us together to see the whole picture,” he said of the meeting. “I think it really allowed guys to play for each other in a different way.”
Protocol review
The NFL is reviewing the concussion protocol for Jaxson Dart on Thursday.
Daboll popped his head into the medical tent while Dart was being tested in the third quarter and got into an argument on the sideline with team physician Dr. Scott Rodeo.
Daboll said he apologized for his conduct and further explained Friday that he wasn’t trying to rush Dart back to the field. He said he just wanted to check on Dart and find out how long the review would take.
“In no way would I want a player to come back out there that wasn’t ready to play,” Daboll said. “I think I have great respect for that process.”
Giants president John Mara said he spoke to Daboll about approaching the medical tent and added that the Giants will cooperate fully with the league’s review.
“While I firmly believe, as he has stated, that he was not trying to influence the process in any way, he understands the appearance of going to the tent is inappropriate,” Mara said in a statement. “We have protocols in place to ensure player safety, and we need to allow our medical staff to execute those protocols without interference.”